Ulster County, municipal leaders from both side of aisle slam NY Assemblyman Kevin Cahill over sales tax conditions

By WILLIAM J. KEMBLE

Thursday, June 20, 2013

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Ulster County and municipal leaders on Thursday implored state Assemblyman Kevin Cahill to withdraw a bill that attaches conditions to extending a 1 percent county sales tax.

County Executive Michael Hein, a Democrat, and fellow leaders from both sides of the political aisle held a press conference Thursday afternoon at the County Office Building in Kingston to criticize what they see as political gamesmanship.

"One would think we would move through the process like every other county in this situation," Hein said. "But unfortunately, Assemblymember Kevin Cahill has decided to use his authority and leadership position to hold the Ulster County sales tax bill hostage."

Cahill, D-Kingston, has introduced in the Assembly a bill that would allow Ulster County to continue charging 4 percent sales tax, instead of 3 percent, but only if the county assumes "the entire cost for all local elections ... and the entire cost of the Safety Net (welfare) assistance program, commencing January 1, 2015."

An Ulster County tax-extension bill with no conditions attached has been introduced by Assemblyman Frank Skartados, D-Milton, and state Sens. William Larkin, R-Cornwall, and Cecilia Tkaczyk, D-Duanesburg.

Cahill's bill has no companion in the Senate.

The state Legislature was to wrap up its 2013 session either late Thursday or on Friday. There was no word before presstime on Thursday about the fate of either of the tax bills, though Skartados spokesman Steve Gold said only one of the bills would be allowed to the Assembly floor for a vote.

Cahill spokeswoman Kristin Murphy said Thursday afternoon that the assemblyman was familiar with the criticism of his bill but that he did not have an immediate response. She said he may comment on the matter on Friday.

County officials estimate denying the county the right to levy the additional 1 percent tax would result in a loss of $22 million per year.

"I can't think of a single issue where all of us could stand together before this," county Legislator Majority Leader Kenneth Ronk, R-Wallkill, said at the press conference. "It's good that we can all stand here ... against extortion. Really, that's what this is."

Robert Nickol, a spokesman for Larkin, said the Senate version of the bill had cleared the committee process and was to be voted on by the full chamber.

"There are a number of these extenders -- not just Ulster County, but Orange and throughout the state -- that haven't yet come to the floor," Nickol said.

Ulster County consumers pay 8 percent in sales tax -- 4 percent levied by the state, 3 percent levied by the county and the additional 1 percent that needs periodic renewal.